Hunger & Poverty Facts

46.2 million people nationwide lived in poverty in 2010. That is 15.1% of the US population. (1)

In Rhode Island, 13.2% of the population was living in poverty (2008-2012 estimate). (1)

In 2014, the federal poverty guideline was $19,790 for a family of three. (2)

The definition of food insecurity is: any household that is uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they have insufficient money or other resources for food. (3)

In 2012, 14.5 percent of households (or 48.9million people) were food insecure at least some time during that year. Among households with children under the age of 18, over 20% are food insecure. (3)

Additionally, about 59 percent of America’s food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major federal food assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), The National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. (3)

In 2013, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, through their network of pantries and meal sites provided 1.5 million meals, averaging 68,000 people on a monthly basis (4)

Research indicates that hungry children have done more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they are not well prepared for school and cannot concentrate. In fiscal year 2011, nearly half of all SNAP recipients were children under the age of 18. (3)

References:

1. www.census.gov

2. www.aspe.hhs.gov

3. ers.usda.gov

4. rifoodbank.org

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program is the new name for the Food Stamp Program.

Learn more about the SNAP Outreach Project or to access a benefits application: